Obituary for Alfred Wyatt Sikes, Randolph and Talladega, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/awysikes.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= April 2004 THE SAD DEATH OF WYATT SIKES ---------------------------- The life was crushed out of Mr. A. Wyatt SIKES, traveling salesman for the Talladega Hardware Company, by an overturned Ford automobile last Thursday afternoon [4 November 1915] on a country road near Weogufka, Coosa county. The manner in which the accident occurred is not known, as Mr. SIKES was traveling alone. The remains of this unfortunate young man were brought to Roanoke Friday afternoon, where they were met by a large number of Roanoke friends and neighbors and kinspeople from the deceased’s old home east of Wedowee. Many floral offerings from Talladega and Roanoke were in evidence. A large company escorted the body to Liberty Grove, where the funeral occurred Saturday morning, conducted by Rev. J. W. ELDER. The Woodmen were in charge at the grave. Wyatt SIKES had many friends wherever he was known, having a jovial, kindly disposition. His tragic taking away, while playing a manly part in the battle of life, is most melancholy. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 10 November 1915, p.1] ---------------------------- CARD OF THANKS ---------------------------- We wish to thank our many friends for their kindness shown us in the sad death of our dear son and brother, Wyatt. We cannot hope to live long enough to thank the people enough for their sympathy and kindness shown us. May God’s richest blessings rest upon you all. A. P. SIKES and Family. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 17 November 1915, p.1] ---------------------------- IN MEMORIAM ---------------------------- "Leaves have their time to fall And flowers to wither at the northwind's breath, And stars to set; but all- Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O, Death!" -Hemans. As the pealing thunder-clap when all is bluesky and sunshine, so comes Death's sudden call sometimes, taking the bright and happy and promising from the side of the old, decrepit ones who swarm upon life's stage. And so it was when the grim reaper took his seat beside our late deceased Brother Sovereign Wyatt SIKES, and they started on that fatal journey, which ended in the horrible catastrophe that resulted in the sudden death of our beloved brother. On Thursday afternoon, November 4th, 1915, Death lurked in Wyatt SIKES' path and this noble young man sped into the presence of his God with the speed of the winds, his little automobile pinning him to the ground when it turned turtle over a slight embankment near Sylacauga, Ala. Sovereign SIKES, who was a member of our noble order in this camp, was a splendid young man of many virtues-excellent in character, genial and loving. Therefore, Be it resolved by Roanoke Camp No. 626, Woodmen of the World, that the following resolutions of appreciation and condolence be spread upon the minutes of this Camp, a copy sent to the parents of the deceased Sovereign, and a copy furnished the local newspaper for publication: First: Be it resolved, That in the death of Sovereign SIKES this Camp sustains an irreparable loss in that he filled a place in our ranks which no other could fill, exemplifying by his manliness and loyalty the true tenets of Woodcraft. And, Second: Be it resolved, That as a token of our appreciation, these words shall be read in open session of the Camp, that we may in this way show the sincerity of our sympathy for the bereaved ones whose hearts bleed for the departed. Our love and our hands go out to the parents of this young man. It is ours to cherish ever the memory of Wyatt SIKES as one of the bright spots in the history of our Camp. [And,] Third: Be it resolved, That we, as a fraternal body, bow in perfect confidence and humility to the Omnipotent God even in this seeming calamity, when we are bewildered and cannot understand why it should be so. We would reverently and earnestly point the broken hearted to the Fountain of Eternal Grace and Life. God alone can heal the wound inflicted by the sword of Death. H. G. BRADSHAW, Chm., G. M. SALIBA, W. T. ORR, Committee on Resolutions. Roanoke, Ala., Nov. 12, 1915. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 17 November 1915, p.4] ---------- Alfred Wyatt SIKES, 20 April 1887—4 November 1915, Alfred P. SIKES, 14 September 1857—19 November 1925, his father, Mary Frances FINCHER SIKES, 19 April 1858—30 March 1942, his mother, All interred at Liberty Grove Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery, Randolph County, Alabama.